Productivity is the result of the decisions we make and mindset we have. These things in turn create habits that we tend to follow, sometimes too rigidly.

Do you want to make a positive change inside you that leads to better productivity and improved self-confidence?

If so, then I suggest that you take a look at these common unproductive habits that hold you back and transform them into productive ones.

1. Complaining -> Taking action

I used to belong to the group of people who complained a lot. Mostly it was about the job I hated, but I had other things that I complained about too.

Yet at some point I came to realize that maybe I should do something about those things instead of complaining about them. Maybe I’m the one who has to make things happen…

Finally, I understood that taking action was the only way to move forward. I didn’t want to waste my time and energy on something useless like complaining.

I think that this is a good guideline for any of us. If there is something bothering you that isn’t right, think to yourself: Is it going to get better by complaining or can you do something about it?

I bet that in many situations the latter option is the best one.

2. Assuming -> Confirming

My former boss used to say the following:

“Assuming is prohibited.”

What he meant was that one should always be sure of something so that the right action could be taken.

Although this habit saves you from many headaches, be ready to face your fears when you transform this habit.

In order to confirm things and being sure of something, you have to ask questions to understand the situation better. For some people, this is not an easy thing to do since they may feel that others think that they are stupid — or even incompetent — when they ask for more information.

Of course, this isn’t so.

Confirming or asking questions is a better way to move forward than pondering the issue by yourself and taking wrong action — one which is based on assumptions.

Confirming makes you more confident and productive, because you know what to do and are not guessing what to do.

3. Being a Victim -> Being Responsible

It is easy to take on the “victim role” instead of being responsible of your own actions. This also means that instead of being true to yourself, you are more willing to blame your boss, your work, your environment or the people you associate with when you are feeling lousy.

Understandably, it may not be easy to admit that perhaps the problem lies within you. However, you really have to admit that because of your past actions you find yourself in the current situation.

You create your own reality by the decisions you make and the actions you take. If you are not happy with things the way they are, then start creating a plan to change things.

Here’s an example: If you are not happy how your body looks, start making lifestyle changes — and find out the phone number to the nearest nutrition coach to help you out.

After you realize that you can make the change and that you have to take the responsibility, things start moving for the better and the victim days are soon behind you.

4. Fixing the Symptoms -> Fixing the Root Cause

When something unexpected happens, you do whatever is needed to put things back to normal. However, when the same unexpected thing starts to happen on a recurring basis, fixing the symptoms is not enough anymore.

For instance, when you feel sick to your stomach you can take medicine to fix the situation. However, when this same symptom occurs on a frequent basis, you should spend more time and energy to analyze what is causing your stomach ache in the first place and fix that instead.

Spend a bit more time on finding and fixing the root cause – instead of wasting your time on dealing with the symptoms.

5. Easiest Task First -> Hardest Task First

Working on the easiest task first is a very compelling thing to do. You don’t have to stress about the task that much because it is fun. You are also feeling comfortable because you don’t have to push yourself outside your comfort zone.

On the other hand, if you’re willing to take action on the hardest task first, you’ll be prouder of yourself and this will give you a self-confidence boost.

When you handle the challenging task before the easy one, it is not lurking in the back of your mind anymore and you can fully focus on your other tasks that you have to take care of.

No matter whether or not you are able to accomplish this hard task at once, the main point is that you are acting on the task now so that you can fully enjoy the fun tasks later.

Timo Kiander, a.k.a. Productive Superdad, helps entrepreneurs improve their online business productivity. With 18 co-authors (like Pat Flynn and Corbett Barr), he wrote a book about how to build an online business and get stuff done – even when working from 9-5 (available as a free download or through Amazon).